RESEARCH PAPER PRESENTATION
How Local Governments Can Advance Climate Mitigation
A review of 28 studies on what helps or hinders local governments in adopting climate mitigation through organizational change.
Local governments can strengthen climate mitigation adoption when organizational and system-level enablers are aligned and persistent internal and institutional barriers are addressed.
The paper investigates the current state of organizational literature on how local governments adopt and implement climate mitigation strategies. It examines barriers, enablers, and system changes across individual, organizational, and institutional levels. The review asks whether transformation depends not only on policy intent, but on deeper shifts in structures, leadership, resources, collaboration, and long-term planning.
The problem
Local governments are expected to play a major role in reducing emissions, but many struggle to turn climate goals into sustained organizational action. Progress is hindered by fragmented governance, limited resources, weak knowledge transfer, and short-term decision-making. Understanding these barriers and the conditions that enable change matters because cities and municipalities face growing pressure to decarbonize while managing rapid urbanization and competing priorities.
Key findings
- The review screened 411 records and identified 28 empirical articles, showing that organizational change for local government climate mitigation remains relatively understudied.
- Four recurring enablers were identified: technology, collaborative behaviours, management culture and leadership, and supportive economic and policy frameworks.
- Four recurring barriers were identified: short-termism and uncertainty avoidance, lack of decision-relevant knowledge, limited resources, and people/organizational challenges.
- The findings indicate that effective local mitigation depends on holistic systems change, including strategic planning, innovation, resourcing, and cross-sector collaboration.
411 records
Initial database search results screened across Scopus, Web of Science, and ProQuest.
110 duplicates removed
Duplicate records excluded before title and abstract screening.
28 articles
Empirical studies included in the final thematic review.
4 enablers, 4 barriers
Main thematic groups identified for local government mitigation action.
What cities should do
Overall: This review is most useful for cities and municipalities trying to mainstream climate mitigation across government operations, especially where action is slowed by siloed departments, limited capacity, or short-term planning.
- Embed climate mitigation into core governance, budgeting, and strategic planning rather than treating it as a stand-alone initiative.
- Build cross-sector partnerships with business, civil society, and other governments to expand knowledge, capacity, and funding options.
- Invest in leadership, staff learning, and organizational cultures that support experimentation, coordination, and long-term action.
- Use data, monitoring, and carbon accounting systems to improve decision-making and track implementation progress.
- Address internal silos by assigning clear responsibilities across departments and strengthening coordination mechanisms.
- Prioritize long-term climate objectives to counter short-termism and uncertainty avoidance in municipal decision-making.
Implementation Approach
Cities should approach mitigation as an organizational transformation process rather than a single policy program. The review points to a phased approach that starts with strategic alignment and diagnosis, then builds internal capacity, governance systems, and partnerships to support implementation. Progress depends on embedding climate goals into everyday municipal structures, resourcing, and decision systems.
Months 1-12
Assess organizational barriers, map responsibilities, and build a shared long-term mitigation vision across departments and leadership.
Year 1-2
Integrate climate objectives into strategic plans, budgeting, and governance procedures, including emissions monitoring and accountability systems.
Year 2-3
Strengthen staff capacity, leadership development, and internal coordination to support implementation across municipal functions.
Year 2-4
Expand stakeholder engagement and cross-sector partnerships to unlock funding, expertise, and broader implementation support.
Year 3+
Refine structures, policies, and innovation practices through continuous learning, evaluation, and adaptation.
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